Europe

The Latest

Father Patrick Hughes shows how to make a traditional St. Brigid's Cross in County Cavan, Ireland.

Ireland celebrates 1,500th anniversary of St. Brigid’s death

Feb 1, 2024

By Courtney Mares

On Thursday, Ireland celebrates the 1,500th anniversary of the death of St. Brigid of Kildare, the Emerald Isle’s female patron... Read more

Geert Wilders, the leader of the Dutch Party for Freedom (PVV), celebrates in his party office after his party's victory in yesterday's general election, on November 23, 2023, in The Hague, Netherlands. The Netherlands' far-right, anti-EU leader Geert Wilders won the most votes in parliamentary elections on November 22, dominated by debate around rising immigration in the Netherlands.

Nationalist Firebrand Geert Wilders wins Dutch election in electoral upset 

Nov 23, 2023

By Matthew Santucci

Geert Wilders’ Freedom Party dominated the Dutch election on Wednesday. Read more

The Cross of San Lázaro of Seville, Spain, sculpted in the 16th century, was vandalized on the night of Oct. 21-22, 2023.

‘Anti-Christian hate crimes’ in Europe up 44% in past year, watchdog group says

Nov 17, 2023

By Daniel Payne

The spike in anti-Christian incidents is “connected to a rise in extremist motivation and a higher acceptance of the targeting... Read more

COP28 logo.

Vatican joins interfaith declaration on fighting climate change

Nov 8, 2023

By Hannah Brockhaus

The Holy See has signed an interfaith declaration on taking action to protect the environment during a religious summit held... Read more

The Sejm, the lower house of the Polish Parliament.

Polish elections point to possible shift in country’s abortion laws, ‘political clashes’

Oct 17, 2023

By Peter Pinedo

Liberal opposition parties won a significant political victory over Poland’s conservative Law and Justice Party on Sunday. Read more

Pope Benedict XVI.

Police: Suspect in theft of Benedict XVI’s pectoral cross arrested

Oct 7, 2023

By AC Wimmer

A 53-year-old suspect has been arrested in the theft of Pope Benedict XVI’s pectoral cross. Read more

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Bishops condemn European Union’s drafting of ‘right to abortion’ 

Jul 18, 2023

By Daniel Payne

In its Tuesday statement, the bishops argued that the measure would constitute an “ethical indefensibility” against human rights and European... Read more

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On World Refugee Day, Pope Francis urges action; companies pledge to hire refugees

Jun 20, 2023

By Peter Pinedo

The pope called for greater hospitality “without excuses and without delay, because the effects will be felt, sooner or later,... Read more

Pope Francis spoke about the Christian roots of Hungary during his general audience in St. Peter's Square on May 3, 2023.

Pope Francis: Freedom is under threat in Europe

May 3, 2023

By Hannah Brockhaus

Pope Francis spoke about Europe, its roots, and the problem of consumerism during his weekly audience with the public May... Read more

In March 2022, these Stations of the Cross in the diocese of Augsburg, southern Germany, were vandalized.

Hate crimes against Christians on the rise in Europe, report says

Nov 15, 2022

By Andrea Gagliarducci

The Observatory for the Intolerance and Discrimination Against Christians in Europe documented more than 500 anti-Christian hate crimes in 2021. Read more

The United Nations General Assembly in New York.

African nations stand alone against abortion rights, gender ideology at the UN 

Sep 16, 2022

By Edie Heipel

The resolution includes language stating that countries must provide “access to safe abortion” as a “human right.” Read more

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Legal abortions fall by 90% in Poland after court eliminates exception for fetal defects

Aug 3, 2022

By CNA Staff

If it had not been for the change in the law about 1,000 children would have lost their lives in... Read more

Pope Francis at the general audience in Paul VI Hall on March 16, 2022.

Pope Francis to Europe’s Catholic bishops: The blood of Ukrainian children stirs our consciences

Mar 18, 2022

By Hannah Brockhaus

‘We would never have thought to see such scenes again,’ the pope said. Read more

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New report finds freedom of conscience under threat in France, Spain, and Sweden

Dec 7, 2021

By Courtney Mares

The report said further developments could lead to ‘complete exclusion of Christians from certain professions.’ Read more

Pope Francis speaks during an in-flight press conference on the journey from Athens to Rome, Dec. 6, 2021.

Pope Francis: EU commission guide discouraging word ‘Christmas’ was an anachronism

Dec 6, 2021

By CNA Staff

He noted that a series of ideologies had attempted to pull up Europe’s Christian roots. Read more

Pope Francis visits the Mavrovouni refugee camp on the Greek island of Lesbos on Dec. 5, 2021

Pope Francis calls migrant crisis a ‘shipwreck of civilization’ during refugee camp visit

Dec 5, 2021

By Courtney Mares

Pope Francis visited the Mavrovouni migrant reception and identification center located along the shore of the island of Lesbos, Read more

Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich, S.J., pictured at the Vatican on Oct. 10, 2018.

EU Catholic bishops lament ‘anti-religious bias’ in guide discouraging word ‘Christmas’

Dec 1, 2021

By CNA Staff

Cardinal Hollerich said that Christmas was part ‘of European reality.’ Read more

The aftermath of a fire at the Parish of St. Paul in Corbeil-Essonnes, France, July 4, 2020.

Nearly 1,000 hate crimes against Europe’s Christians recorded in 2020

Nov 16, 2021

By Courtney Mares

Poland had the most hate crimes reported against Christians, with 241 incidents in 2020. Read more

The sixth national Walk for Life in Zagreb, Croatia, May 29, 2021.

How does U.S. abortion law compare to those in European countries?

Oct 11, 2021

By Luke Coppen, Hannah Brockhaus

The United States is one of only seven countries that allow elective abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy, and its... Read more